Dead or Alive 4

Ever since its debut in the late nineties, the dead or alive series has produced absolutely beautiful looking games .The 2005 instalment is no different -this game is a graphical stunner! The characters look highly detailed and the backdrops that they fight against are incredibly realistic.

Like the saying goes though, looks aren't everything and Dead or alive proves it-it may be easy on the eye but gameplay wise its as severely lacking as its always been.

The game play just encourages lazy button bashing tactics with its 'one button-sets-off-endless-multi-hit-combos attack system. Even the most calm and collected player can be reduced to a button mashing goon with controls like these- DOA 4 plays like a dumbed down version of virtua fighter.

But the worst thing about the gameplay ? The absolute worst thing? Its the counters. While games like tekken, virtua fighter and king of fighters have counters that take skill and timing to pull of , DOA's are the complete opposite. The counters here can be performed at the touch of a button and take off unfairly huge amounts of energy. This quick and easy counter system invites you to be over reliant on it and results in boring matches in which you and your opponent spend half a round waiting to hit each other . Its frustrating.

Dead or alive 4 is both super good looking and superficial. I'm tempted to say that things might improve with the sequel but judging by this franchises track record I severely doubt it.